Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Why We Dont Have Famous Female Composer In History ?

I'm not denying that social factors prevented many women from composing during the peak of classical music. I'm just pointing out that even if women had been able to compose more easily during the 1700's and 1800's, we still wouldn't have a female Chopin or Brahms, let alone Bach or Beethoven

Actually, it's my mom who first told me that guys perform better even in the domains that are traditionally considered female activities, and I totally agree with her.

Let's start with female activities that men are better (note: the comparison is between the highest performance,not the average performance)

1. Cutting hair
2. Cooking
3. Making pastries
4. Making dress
5. Making bread
6. Flower arragement
7. home decoration
8. etc etc

Now, male activities

1. all activities, I cannot think any activities that majority women are better.

The only activities that men are not good is doing house chores....Men are totally not talented when come to cleaning house, feeding kids, doing laundries, washing dishes, vacuming, remembering birthday, etc. Women are by far much more talented in these activities. In order for men to perform at woman level, they must practice hard. Women do these activities very naturally.

If you also read the scientific studies on IQ tests you'll find plenty of evidence to show that these are flawed and do not accurately represent intelligence, genius or otherwise.

Most intelligence tests and studies were written and designed by men - originally to test men. Bias and skewed results abound!

These are dangerous waters, and I consider myself a feminist, but I don't I like the politically correct tenor of the discussion. There does actually seem to be a scarcity of women composers, even if you factor in all the societal stuff. The operative word is "seem" as obviously I can't prove it.

But would it be so horrible if it turned out there was something in the male brain that makes it more likely they'll be better at composing music? I can't cite them, but I do believe reading that there are studies indicating men are better at mechanical thinking, including spacial relations than women. I'm also almost certain there are studies that support the idea there are differences in the way men and women process language.

My point is, there are difference between the male and female brain. This isn't bad, or sexist in and of itself. it simply is.

So go ahead all you p.c.'ers. Savage me if you must. I can take it :>)

As far as female composers are concerned, I'm not sure I find that IQ argument very convincing. Marilyn vos Savant probably has a far higher IQ (by 21st Century standards) that say... Bach, who would have been educated to a very modest standard by both our standards and contemporary standards of those living in more affluent areas such as The Dutch Republic.

...And you wonder why more women have not risen to the top in various spheres... not only do woman have to have the talent, determination and persistence to achieve... we have to battle beliefs and attitudes such as this.

You're missing the point: at the highest levels of talent and achievement for almost any activity, there are far more men than women.

I'm just pointing out that even if women had been able to compose more easily during the 1700's and 1800's, we still wouldn't have a female Chopin or Brahms, let alone Bach or Beethoven

The OP asked why there has not been a famous female composer. The reason is that female just are unable to attain that level.

I think the feminist movement has spent way too much time and effort "battling beliefs and attitudes". Don't you think if those activists spent their time composing, they would have gotten better results?

So you mom's poor self esteem is a source of your problem with perspective. I'm starting to get the picture...

Women Composers....

Judging from this thread, they have quite a lot of time yet to spend on the battle.

But there are plenty of women composers today who aren't directly part of that battle, and as a matter of fact, yes, they are often getting quite good results, and performances. But of course, that gets to a whole other problem today, which is that so many music lovers aren't interested in new music, regardless of the composer's genital status.

Women Composers....

wr, news to you: you cannot change people's perspective by having a big ego. Having a big ego does not make you great. You are great because you demonstrate you can do it, not because you have a big ego. Does it make sense?

There is NO reason to believe that female are dumber than men. But they usually choose to have a different focus, be it on family, or children.

There is NO reason to believe that women cannot be great composers, (or pianists, chefs, tailors, filmmakers, conductors, philosophers, scientists, etc). But they need to do it first.

Until that time, the fact remains that there are many more great male composers than female ones.

Get the picture?